Persepolis is a 2007 French animated film in black and white based on Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel of the same name. The film was written and directed by Satrapi. The story follows a young girl against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution. The story ends with Marjane as a 24-year-old expatriate. The title is a reference to the historic city of Persepolis. Persepolis paints an unforgettable portrait of daily life in Iran. You can easily notice the contradictions between home life and public life. And also the difference between man and woman. But the target of this movie is to show the enormous repression made by the government and the impact of the religion.
Persepolis is at once a story of growing up and a stunning reminder of the human cost of war and political repression. It shows how we carry on, through laughter and tears and even sometimes kind of absurdity The first time I watched this movie, I really liked it. Contrary to the others that were in the room with me, I didn’t laugh a lot. I guess people don’t really understand that Persepolis shows exactly the reality of Iranians’ lives. In fact I used to live in Tehran for almost 3 years; I left during the election because of the fight in the streets. Even foreign women have to wear a veil, So my mother and sister used to wear it. I think Persepolis was produced in black and white because the country has a lack of colours. People wear black almost all of the time, the landscapes are dry, |
Persopolis? Reality?girls and boys are not allowed to stay together, make noise, touch each other... There’re maybe 6 different kinds of police that stay in the street to make sure the rules are respected.
Despite this, teenagers find out how to make party and the contrast between street life and home life is amazing. Girls wear the most extravagant clothes; there are more alcohol and boys than anywhere else. If the police arrives, the trouble makers have to pay lots of money, if they can’t afford for this, they can be arrested, perhaps even worse for big circumstances. Unfortunately death penalty is still allowed and can happen in public places. |
I’ve met lots of Iranians, They are very kind, very friendly, and all dream about travelling all around the world. Even if they want or they need to get a visa, the government will never give them a visa. Only the richest would be able to get a visa but it could be still difficult to get. I feel so sorry for them, because I guess the majority of them are well educated, they work a lot, speak at least two languages perfectly. They are always happy to meet foreign people.
The main problem is Iran’s government has established fear everywhere. (There’s still death penalty even in public place, there’s also the worst punishment you can ever find, like stoning, whip…) That’s why people are afraid and tend to keep distance in the street. I realise that what I’ve written is a bit negative , But Iran has a very rich culture, and many amazing places like Shiraz , Persepolis , Abianeh … the difference between the town that is Tehran and the traditional village that is Garmeh (desert) is incredible. I think when you live in this kind of country, it open a new view of life, we don’t realise how lucky we are, and how lucky we are to have all the rights we do have, we don’t imagine how life could be difficult. I won't forget this experience, nor the people I’ve met there. For sure, I won’t go back to Iran because of the visa issues. But also because it sounds weird, this period is a part of my past.I truly miss this old when I used to lived there . I’ll never ever be able to forget . By Soline Huguenin |